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World Rugby Handbook

REGULATION 9 from the International Game being received by the Union save with the prior written approval of both the Player’s Union and World Rugby. Ineligibility to play consequent upon non-release 9.31 If a Player is not released to attend and/or participate in a National Representative Team and/or National Squad Session contrary to the provisions of Regulation 9.3 then he shall not be entitled to play for any Rugby Body or Club for the period for which he has been or should have been in attendance with the National Representative Team or National Squad and an additional 10 days thereafter, unless the Player’s Union agrees otherwise in writing. Such agreement shall be granted in the absence of evidence of a breach of Regulation 9.3. For the avoidance of doubt, additional sanctions may also be imposed in accordance with Regulations 9.34 to 9.37. Extension by agreement 9.32 This Regulation 9 sets out the minimum mandatory regulatory framework for the Game in relation to Player availability. However, a Union may by agreement enter into arrangements beyond the terms of this Regulation 9 for example in relation to the number of International Matches to be played, Squad sizes and other limitations in the Regulation. Such agreements may for example take the form of collective arrangements within a Union’s territory (where the Union has primacy of contract in relation to its Players or otherwise), or be agreed by Unions with other Rugby Bodies or Clubs outside of that Union’s jurisdiction. For the avoidance of doubt in circumstances where a Union does not have primacy of contract over a Player the application of Regulation 9 may not be narrowed by agreement or otherwise. 9.33 Cross Hemisphere Player Release Effective June 1, 2012 (a) Where the Right to Release for Matches is exercised for Players pursuant to the Northern Hemisphere Release Period and such Players are contracted to Rugby Bodies or Clubs in the southern hemisphere then the exercise of the Right to Release pursuant to this Regulation 9 may be exercised for seven weeks out of the seven week period. (b) Where the Right to Release for Matches is exercised for Players pursuant to the Four Nations Release Period and such Players are contracted to Rugby Bodies or Clubs in the northern hemisphere then the exercise of the Right to Release pursuant to this Regulation 9 may be exercised for eight weeks out of the eight week period. Sanctions for non-compliance 9.34 A Rugby Body or Club that refuses to allow a Player to be released in accordance with this Regulation 9 and/or otherwise breaches its provisions (including but not limited to any delayed release which impacts on the Player’s participation in, or his Union’s preparation for the relevant International Match or Squad session) renders itself liable to sanctions by Last update: 14 January, 2015 166


World Rugby Handbook
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